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Hochul Invites Striking LIRR Workers Back, Strike Ends

5/19/2026

48 9 Full Breakdown

Center

Hochul Invites Strikers

Governor Kathy Hochul invited striking LIRR workers back, offering refreshments as the walkout entered its second day.
Long Island Rail Road workers struck on May 16, with a May 19 agreement ending the walkout and restoring service Tuesday.
The National Mediation Board (NMB) summoned both sides on Sunday to restart bargaining.
Strike disrupted 250,000 commuters, prompting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to run buses for staff.

Left

Hochul Urges Remote

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had no involvement and blamed Governor Hochul for the strike.
Long Island Rail Road workers walked out demanding a cost-of-living wage, leaving roughly 250,000 daily riders without service.
Governor Kathy Hochul urged work-from-home commuting and warned fares could rise up to 8 %.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said agency would not accept a deal shifting costs to riders.

History

Historical Context

In April 1980, about 33,000 Transport Workers Union members walked off the New York City Transit Authority, shutting subways and buses for twelve days and prompting a $1 million state fine. The strike forced Mayor Ed Koch to champion commuters and led New York State to tighten mediation rules. Today’s Long Island Rail Road walkout echoes those wage-dispute battles.

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Hochul Invites Strikers

Governor Kathy Hochul invited striking LIRR workers back, offering refreshments as the walkout entered its second day.
Long Island Rail Road workers struck on May 16, with a May 19 agreement ending the walkout and restoring service Tuesday.
The National Mediation Board (NMB) summoned both sides on Sunday to restart bargaining.
Strike disrupted 250,000 commuters, prompting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to run buses for staff.

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